The Hubble Space Telescope has captivated the world with its breathtaking images and groundbreaking discoveries since its launch in 1990. Orbiting Earth at an altitude of 320 miles, Hubble has unveiled the mysteries of the cosmos, from distant galaxies to the birth of stars.
Over the years, it has transformed our understanding of the universe, revealing secrets about dark energy, star formation, and the origins of galaxies. Its ability to observe in multiple wavelengths; ultraviolet, visible, and infrared, has provided a unique and detailed view of space that was previously unimaginable. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or new to the wonders of the cosmos, these photos and facts will spark your curiosity about our vast and beautiful universe. Here are 15 photos and facts of the Hubble Space Telescope.
1. This photo is from the first repair mission for the Hubble telescope in 1993.
Did you know that the Hubble Telescope has had five service missions since its launch? These missions are to help the telescope reach the apex of its scientific capability.
2. Edwin Hubble, posing inside the 200-inch Hale Telescope, 1953.
Hubble conducted research at the Palomar Observatory, where the Hale Telescope (also known as the Palomar Telescope) was created. Edwin Hubble was the first astronomer to use this telescope, right before he passed in 1953.
3. The Hubble Space Telescope returns to orbit as an improved telescope after its second servicing mission in February 1997.
The Hubble Telescope cost roughly $16 billion to create. This price includes all servicing costs, but not ongoing operations.
4. The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, 1984.
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24th, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, which had itself been launched on August 30th, 1984. This monumental event marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration.
5. The Hubble Space Telescope is massive.
The fully developed telescope is about 43.5 feet wide, and 14 feet in diameter. Its massive size is to ensure it’s large enough to accommodate its many instruments and cameras. The weight of the telescope is 24,500 pounds, but this doesn’t matter in space where there is no gravity to weigh it down.
6. The Hubble moves incredibly fast.
The Hubble Telescope travels 17,000 mph around the Earth. That means it completes an orbit in just 95 minutes, offering continuous real-time data. Its speed ensures it can cover large areas of the sky, providing astronomers with a wealth of information.
7. The first image from the Hubble Telescope, May 1990.
The initial image was blurry due to a flaw in the Hubble’s mirror, but despite this, it was still an important milestone that marked the beginning of the Hubble’s journey.
8. The most recent photo taken of Eta Carinae, March 26, 2025.
This is the most recent photo taken by the Hubble telescope of the Eta Carinae. The Eta Carinae is one of the most massive binary star systems known, and it’s located approximately 7,500 light-years from Earth.
9. A young Edwin Hubble at Mount Wilson’s 100-inch telescope in 1922.
Edwin Hubble made several groundbreaking discoveries using the Mount Wilson Observatory’s telescope. He revealed that the universe is far larger than the Milky Way and, most importantly, that it’s expanding. These findings fundamentally changed our understanding of the cosmos.
10. Inspecting the telescope’s primary mirror, late ’70s.
Did you know the mirror’s perimeter was too smooth so they had to send up another piece three years after it was launched to correct it? This is what caused the first few photos from the Hubble Telescope to appear blurry.
11. The most iconic photo taken by the Hubble Telescope.
This is a photo of the “Pillars of Creation”. The stunning shot was taken in 1995 and shows huge columns of gas and dust where new stars are being born. Amazingly, this telescope offers us a glimpse into the process of star formation.
12. The Hubble Telescope helped discover dark energy.
The Hubble’s observations of distant supernovae played a massive role in the discovery of dark energy. Dark energy is the mysterious driving force for the accelerated expansion of the universe.
13. The Hubble’s orbital altitude will shock you.
The Hubble Space Telescope’s orbital altitude is just above the Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 320 miles high. This unique position allows it to capture sharp, clear images of distant stars and galaxies, free from distortion caused by the atmosphere.
14. The James Webb Space Telescope is considered a successor to the Hubble.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched on December 25, 2021, and is the most powerful space telescope ever built. It is designed to observe the universe in infrared light, allowing us to look deeper in space than Hubble. The JWST has revealed galaxies that formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
15. Refinement of the Hubble Constant.
The Hubble Space Telescope’s observations helped refine the Hubble Constant, which describes the rate at which the universe is expanding. This constant plays a critical role in determining the age and size of our universe, offering valuable information about our future.
